Members and friends of Penn Central Conference,

How did you recognize Indigenous People's Day? On Monday, October 10th, 38 pastors and laity attended the Carlisle Indian School Excursion sponsored by the Penn Central Conference.  

The United States Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, generally known as Carlisle Indian Industrial School, was the flagship Indian boarding school in the United States from 1879 through 1918. The idea was to "Kill the Indian, save the man," a mentality which was then applied to the cultural assimilation efforts of the entire American Indian boarding school system. This was the guiding principle that removed thousands of Native American children and placed them in Indian boarding schools throughout the United States.

Our group was able to tour the remaining buildings and the site of the Industrial School which is located on the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. Amazing that so much of the school and the cemetery still remain and we were thankful that we could tour on this federal installation. Following our tour, we watched the movie Home From School: The Children of Carlisle.  This documentary shares this painful history. Among the many who died at Carlisle Indian Industrial School were three Northern Arapaho boys. Now, more than a century later, tribal members journeyed from Wyoming to Pennsylvania to help them finally come home.

Thanks to the Penn Central Conference for sponsoring this event and to the Mercersburg Association for hosting. We are most appreciative to the Cumberland County Historical Society for sharing these the stories and serving as our guide.  It was a meaningful day of learning history and learning about the continuing impact of this historical trauma.  

Shirley Keith Knox

St Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg

Penn Central Conference

The Virtual Choir is kicking off a third season of music!  Between now and next summer they will record and deliver 5 new pieces which can be used by any of your churches!   We're starting off with a Jazz-inspired anthem with social justice themes for the fall, and we'll do a Rutter Christmas Carol as well as other contemporary and traditional anthems.

If you'd like to join us to sing, or receive notice of the anthems as they come out (they are also in this newsletter) contact Julie Holm at bvfofmusic@gmail.com.

Scheduling notes:

October 23 - St. Matthew's UCC, Carlisle Lancaster- Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

October 23 - St. Thomas UCC, Harrisburg - Rev. Rick Luciotti preaching

Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events.

Prayers for Penn Central Conference

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...

Zwingli UCC, East Berlin

St. John's Center UCC, East Earl

Trinity UCC, East Petersburg

Christ UCC, Elizabethtown

Local Church Events

TRUNK OR TREAT - October 29, 6-8 p.m. at Christ Church UCC in Elizabethtown. Monster Mash cars and trucks, Halloween candy and games for kids in the church parking lot on Saturday before Halloween. Come dressed in your favorite costume!

Sunday, October 23 - Installation Service of Rev. Ken Peterkin - Emmanuel UCC, Hanover - 3:00PM

Sunday, October 23 - Installation Service of Rev. Barbara Albert - Salem Stone UCC, Carlisle - 3:00PM

October 30 - Harrisburg Association Fall Meeting - Penbrook UCC, Harrisburg - 2:00PM

November 6 - Mercersburg Association Fall Zoom Meeting - 3:00PM

November 6 - Installation Service of Rev. Ruthann Seibert - Grace UCC, Lebanon - 10:15AM

November 27 - Ordination Service for Allyssa Boyer - St. Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg - 3:00PM

Outdoor Ministries

FALL FOLIAGE DAY at Kirchenwald & Nawakwa

October 23, 1-6pm

Bring your family and friends to camp for a fall afternoon! Enjoy some of your favorite camp activities. An evening meal will be provided. Please RSVP to the Camping Office by October 14.

Registration Fee: $15 per person - includes all activities and meal (5 & up)

More Information - https://www.lutherancamping.org/upcoming-events/

WOMEN'S CRAFT RETREAT at Nawakwa

November 11-13

Projects are provided AND you may bring your own to work on! Meals, lodging, and most supplies provided. Please register by November 1. Registration Fee: $160 (Arrive a day early for an additional $35, meals not included)

More Information - https://www.lutherancamping.org/event/womens-craft-retreat-2022/

ADVENT DAY APART at The Wittel Farm

December 3

We don’t like to wait for anything, and especially Christmas. With all its secular attraction, this holiday is often a focus on over-indulgence, and too often neglected is the best gift of all… one worth our waiting. You are invited to The Wittel Farm for a day apart from the busyness of life for prayer and contemplation as we journey toward the celebration of Christmas. $15 registration includes lunch.

More Information - https://www.lutherancamping.org/event/advent-day-apart-2022/

Fall MEFs (10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom) - now with registration links

November 15 - "Just War, Just Peace - A 21st Century Discussion" with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PN Zoom only - register here

Boundary Training - now with registration links

November 9 - "The Ministerial Code: A Way of Being" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PM Zoom - register here

UCC National Setting

UCC Webinars

These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.

Immigrant Welcoming Congregations Working for Human Rights and Dignity for All

OCT 20, 2022 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

Planned Giving to Support Mission and Ministry

OCT 26, 2022 | 7:30PM - 8:30PM

How to Protect Your Digital Information: A Practical Discussion of Digital Privacy

OCT 27, 2022 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

Sex on Wednesday with Martha Kempner

NOV 2, 2022 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Spirituality and Pop Culture

NOV 3, 2022 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

"Making All Things New"

General Synod 2023

"Making All Things New” will be the theme of the 34th biennial General Synod of the United Church of Christ, scheduled for June 30–July 4, 2023, in Indianapolis.

Delegates and visitors will meet June 30 through July 4 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.

For the full press release, click here.

Volunteers Needed to Help Working Families with Tax Preparation

Volunteers are needed to offer free tax preparation to help working families receive the federal and state tax credits they are eligible for.

The service is offered through the Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) program, a community partnership led by United Way of the Capital Region that is committed to the economic stability of local families. Since the program began, more than 65,600 federal returns have been filed bringing more than $71 million back into the community. An additional $9.85 million has been saved in tax preparation fees.

No previous experience is required and training is provided. Volunteers are also needed to serve as greeters (no tax preparing required for this position). Scheduling is flexible with daytime, evening and Saturday opportunities available at sites throughout Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties.

For those interested in learning more, several informational sessions will be held throughout the Capital Region during October and November. For more information, contact Heidi Neuhaus at 717.724.4055 or by e-mail at hneuhaus@uwcr.org.

Parish Resource Center presents:

Becoming Your Best Self: Introduction to the Enneagram

Saturday, October 22nd - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

$65 for non-members, $50 for members

In-Person or Zoom

The Enneagram is a system that can help us understand human behavior. This system describes nine personality styles with many variations. Although it is first and foremost a journey of self-discovery, this model of the Enneagram can also increase understanding and harmony in our relationships, offering a path for personal and spiritual growth. This hybrid workshop will introduce you to the basics of each type and how they understand the world and their place in it. Register here: https://parishresourcecenter.org/events/enneagram-intro/

Insurance Board presents:

Trending Business Concerns for Ministries: What Churches Need to Know

Wednesday, October 26, 2022 @ 2pm EST

Featuring: Heather E. Kimmel, General Counsel of the United Church of Christ

Misclassification of workers, including ministers, as independent contractors when they are legally employees may result in financial liability to churches as well as unfairness to employees. Understanding the difference between an employee and an independent contractor is key to reducing this risk.

Allowing community groups to utilize your facility may further your church’s mission as well as offset some of the costs of operating your church. Good stewards of church assets will consider the legal and financial risks associated with a third party’s use of the church property when establishing or revising the church’s facilities use policy.  Register here.

Office Administrator - Christ Church UCC, Elizabethtown

The Office Administrator provides administrative support for Christ Church UCC, Elizabethtown's pastors and lay leaders and coordinates church-wide communications. The Office Administrator position is Part Time—4 days per week, 7 hours per day, 28 hours total.

The Office Administrator should have education and/or training and/or experience in secretarial, clerical and computer skills—specifically in databases and publishing software; mainly MS Publisher, MS Word both for word processing, skill in inter-personal relationships, ability to honor confidences, and organize and implement an office routine.

The Office Administrator should have education and/or training and/or experience in secretarial, clerical and computer skills—specifically in databases and publishing software; mainly MS Publisher and MS Word, bookkeeping and accounting skills, skill in inter-personal relationships, ability to honor confidences, and organize and implement an office routine.

The communities of United Church of Christ Homes are currently seeking candidates to fill several positions, including Certified Nursing Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Dining Service Assistants. If you or someone you know is looking for a new employment opportunity, please visit UCC Homes Employment Opportunities page on our website at https://www.ucc-homes.org/employment-opportunities/ for more details or to fill out our Quick Application Form.

Position Highlight:

The Corporate Office of UCC Homes is seeking an Executive Assistant for a full-time position, working 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. The Executive Assistant performs clerical services for the President/CEO including recording/transcribing meeting minutes, data processing, handling mail, maintaining files, answering phone calls, and overseeing office supplies and petty cash. The successful candidate will have exceptional hospitality skills, the ability to multi-task with ease, and exhibit poise under pressure. A High School diploma or GED is required. An Associate Degree and three years experience as an Administrative Assistant is preferred. Excellent wages and benefits including retirement plan. Interested persons should please mail, fax or email resume and letter of interest to UCC Homes, Attn: Beth McMaster, 30 N. 31st Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011; (717) 303-1607 FAX or bmcmaster@ucc-homes.org by September 23, 2022.

UCC National Positions:

Team Leader and Minister of Gender & Sexuality Justice/Executive Director

The Team Leader/Executive Director is responsible for oversight and coordination of United Church of Christ (UCC) strategies, programs and resources related gender, gender expression, and LGBTQI+ education, equity, and advocacy. This includes serving as the Executive Director of the United Church AIDS Network (aka UCAN), and assigned liaison to The Open and Affirming Coalition of the UCC, United Church of Christ Wellness Ministries, and the Unitarian Universalist Association specifically regarding agreements related to Our Whole Lives Program. Please follow the link to view the full position description and to apply: 

https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=4964409.

Digital Content Specialist, Extended Application Process through 10/21/22

Work alongside and under the direction of OPTIC’s Editorial Communications and News Strategist to coordinate and report the news of the denomination in a timely manner and disseminate communications from the national setting of the United Church of Christ. Primarily responsible for planning and executing the Strategist’s vision in the development of a comprehensive news and communications program for the national setting of the United Church of Christ. Engage in personal interactions with churches and people who are involved in news articles. Helps support the work of the OPTIC department by working with team leads to curate and develop news content for UCNews in support of department goals. Full job description here: Job Information: Digital Content Specialist, Extended Application Process through 10/21/22 Job (appone.com)

Loan Portfolio Manager, Close Date: October 14, 2022

The Cornerstone Fund 

The Loan Portfolio Manager will be responsible for managing the daily activities related to servicing the Cornerstone Fund’s loan portfolio and facilitating new loan closings and disbursements. The Loan Portfolio Manager will be responsible for delivering excellent service to both internal and external clients and will manage the Cornerstone Fund loan portfolio, aiding in risk ratings and digitization of loan files, among other duties.

This position will also coach and assist lending team/client specialists in working with clients/prospects, including explaining CF policies and processes, and addressing client questions during the lending process. Full job description here: Job Information: Loan Portfolio Manager, Close Date: October 14, 2022 Job (appone.com)

Hospice & Community Care

Chaplain- Home Hospice/Inpatient Unit

Per Diem (as needed)

Works in collaboration with the Home Hospice team and Palliative Medicine Consultants assessing and addressing spiritual care needs of patients and caregivers. Qualifications include board certification w/APC or NACC (or ability to be certified within 5 years of hire). M.Div. or equivalent from an accredited theological institution. Accredited training and a minimum of 4 units of CPE required. Must be able to complete 6-8 weeks of a FT, day shift orientation. 

www.hospicecommunity.org